Introduction to the basic knowledge of Coffee beans in Laos

You may not believe it, but Laos does produce the best coffee in the world. Compared with some other places in Southeast Asia, Laos has not been growing coffee for a long time. It was only introduced by the French in the early 20th century, but the unique natural environment here makes Laotian coffee faintly show the king of Southeast Asia's best coffee. Lao coffee is known for its delicate, complex aroma and rich taste, with citrus fruit and floral notes on the finish and a hint of chocolate sweetness. Compared with most of Southeast Asia's heavy-flavored coffee, the taste is fresher and milder.

Lao coffee is grown on the Bolaven plateau in Champasak province in the south and is basically distributed around Paksong, so Paksong is also known as the coffee capital of Laos. The latitude here is about 15 degrees, the altitude is above 1300 meters, the climate is suitable, the rainfall is abundant, and the rich nutrition of volcanic ash geology creates unique conditions for local coffee. In Laos, Arabica and Robusta coffee are grown. Laos, which initially grew exclusively Arabica coffee, has since switched about 80% of it to Robusta because of disease, and now, as in Vietnam, has begun to re-expand Arabica coffee cultivation.

Lao coffee production is not large, Arabica except for self-marketing, almost all sold to France, this relationship has not changed since colonial times. Apparently, after the French left, Laos didn't know how to sell coffee. Robusta coffee is exported to Thailand and goes to Nestle, which may be why Thai Nestle coffee tastes so good. Basong does not have many large plantations, mostly small farmers, although the best coffee, tourism is still in its infancy, if you are a coffee enthusiast, you can also visit the local village, November to January is the harvest time of Arabica coffee, February to March is Robusta. If you're not crazy, go to a cafe in Vientiane or Luang Prabang and pick up first-class local coffee. Remember to choose Arabica coffee varieties. Lao people also like to pour coffee into a glass mixed with condensed milk and drink it with a cup of green tea.